Hi, I’m Dan,

UX Design Leader

I'm a senior design leader with a career built on craft, systems, and people. I've grown from a graphic designer obsessed with typography, to a UX designer focused on clarity and problem-solving, and ultimately into a leader who leads and mentors designers, shapes systems, and elevates product quality.

My work is grounded in the belief that great design comes from empowered teams, thoughtful systems, and a culture that values clarity, accessibility, and continuous improvement.

A Career Built on Craft, Systems, & People

01

The Foundation: Graphic Designer

My career began in graphic design, where I learned the fundamentals that still guide my work today: typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and the discipline of creating with intention. These early years taught me how to communicate through design, build brands, and how to develop a strong sense of purpose and intent. My craft wasn't just a skill — it was a mindset that shaped how I approached every problem that followed.

Highlights

Built brand identities and visual systems

Developed a strong foundation in typography and layout

Learned to communicate ideas visually and concisely

Built a discipline of iteration and refinement

02

The Problem Solver: User Experience Designer

As I transitioned into UX, my focus shifted from visuals to systems, interactions, and human-centered problem solving. I learned to navigate ambiguity, partner with cross-functional teams, and design experiences that balance user needs with business goals. This phase of my career sharpened my ability to simplify complexity, create clarity, and bring structure to messy problem spaces.

Highlights

Led research, prototyping, and interaction design

Partnered with product and engineering to deliver cohesive experiences

Developed frameworks, workflows, and design documentation

Became a connector across teams, aligning people around shared goals

03

The Multiplier: Design Leader

Today, my work centers on leadership — guiding designers, shaping systems, and elevating design maturity across organizations. I focus on building scalable design systems, mentoring designers through complex challenges, and partnering with senior leaders to define product vision. My goal is to create environments where designers feel supported, teams feel aligned, and the work feels purposeful.

Highlights

Lead design systems and cross-functional initiatives

Mentor designers and coach them to perfect their craft and foster career growth

Influence product strategy and organizational alignment

Build processes that improve quality, consistency, and delivery speed

Leadership Philosophy

How I Lead Designers

I believe in coaching through clarity, curiosity, and trust. My role is to help designers grow their judgment, expand their thinking, and feel confident navigating ambiguity. I create space for exploration while providing structure that supports high-quality outcomes.

How I Build Design Systems

Design systems succeed when they empower teams, not restrict them. I focus on creating systems that are intuitive, well-documented, and grounded in real product needs. Governance, adoption, and cross-functional partnership are just as important as components.

How I Partner with Product & Engineering

I work collaboratively, translating design intent into shared understanding. I bring structure to conversations, align teams around outcomes, and ensure decisions are grounded in user needs, technical realities, and business goals.

How I Make Decisions

I balance data, intuition, and experience. I prioritize clarity, accessibility, and long-term scalability. I believe the best decisions are made transparently, collaboratively, and with a clear understanding of trade-offs.

How I Use AI in Design Workflows

AI accelerates craft, but judgment remains human. I use AI to streamline documentation, identify inconsistencies, support design QA, and explore variations — freeing teams to focus on strategy, creativity, and problem solving.

Principles

Principles

Clarity over complexity

Systems

Systems create freedom

Design

Design is a team sport

Quality

Quality is a habit,not a deliverable

Mentorship

Mentorship is a multiplier

Accessibility

Accessibility isnon-negotiable

AI

AI accelerates craft,not judgment

Consistency

Consistency builds trust

My Experience

May 2022 -Present

Citi

VP | Design & User Experience

Citi - Jacksonville, FL

  • Design Lead / Creative Director for Markets & Transformation, guiding UX strategy across complex financial platforms.
  • Lead the design, governance, and evolution of the FX Trading design system.
  • Mentor and develop junior design staff, fostering growth, consistency, and design excellence.
  • Partner with cross-functional leaders to align product vision, strategy, and execution.

Mar 2017 - May 2022

CSX

Senior User Experience Designer

CSX Technology - Jacksonville, FL

  • Team Lead for UX designers on the Digital Experience team. I partnered with leadership, business, and application teams to ensure that early project concepts follow a strategic design direction.
  • Responsible for driving change and innovation in a collaborative environment while being responsive to business needs. I communicated complex interactive design concepts across varying levels within the organization while demonstrating a solid understanding of UX design and leadership.
  • Contributed to the growth and development of team members through mentorship to retain the best talent.
  • Maintain a steady and consistent flow of work across the team while delivering with professionalism, on-budget, and on-time.

Oct 2016 - Feb 2017

Tonic 3

Senior Digital Designer

Tonic 3 (Contractor @ Citi) - Jacksonville, FL

Assigned to Citigroup with the Digital COE. I was tasked with creating digital marketing and experiences for the credit card division.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016

Florida Blue

Senior User Experience Designer

Florida Blue - Jacksonville, FL

Completed a short contract with the Advance Technologies Group inside of Florida Blue working on various innovation initiatives. Primary duties included UX/UX Design, prototyping, and overall process management and improvement.

May 2014 - Jul 2016

Accenture

Senior User Experience Architect

Accenture (Contractor @ Citi) - Jacksonville, FL

Assigned to Citigroup in Jacksonville, FL, I was part of the Digital Design Studio for Citibank Online. As a User Experience Architect, I evaluated current and future opportunities to improve the online experience for Citi customers. This included gathering functional requirements and delivering wireframes that properly illustrate new functionality to the business. In addition to this role, I was also responsible for producing, were applicable, prototypes to incorporate into user testing and demonstrate user interaction models to the development team.

Apr 2012 - May 2014

Interline

Senior User Experience Architect

Interline Brands - Jacksonville, FL

Working with both the IT applications department and e-commerce web team, I was responsible for designing and delivering style/user guides, wireframes, pixel-perfect mock-ups, user flows, prototypes, and persona profiles. Also an important part of my duties include rapid prototyping. Once implemented, I was an active member in the testing and debugging of all front-end development.

Nov 2008 - Apr 2012

Taleo

Solution Visualizer - Innovation Lab

Taleo - Jacksonville, FL

As part of the Innovation Lab at Taleo, I helped contribute to the design and research of innovative solutions for Taleo software. Responsibilities included UI/UX design, prototyping, website design and development, as well as development and administration of our team’s tools and processes.

Oct 2002 - Oct 2008

Delex

Senior Multimedia Developer

Delex Systems, Inc. - Tyson’s Corner, VA

I worked with a team of instructional designers, programmers, graphic artists, and subject matter experts to aid in the development of cutting edge online training and performance support systems using standard web and interactive tools. Developed 2D and 3D images and animations using original source files or by translating concepts into visual representations for use in web and computer based training materials and trainer simulations.

Jan 2000 - Oct 2002

MMC

Production Manager

Matheson Media Corp. - Snohomish, WA

At MMC, I was directly tasked with overseeing the overall production for the agency. Duties included, creative direction, front-end development for both web and CD-Rom, video editing, and management of our projects. I was also tasked with developing client presentations and on-set production tasks for national commercials.

Oct 1998 - Jan 2000

Delex

Junior Graphic Artists

Delex Systems, Inc. - NAS Whidbey Island, WA

Responsible for coordinating the creation, modification, and delivery of graphics in support of two major US Navy Aviation Training organizations, the EA-6B Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) and Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS).Review courseware and delivery sites and make recommendations for changes based on my experience and understanding of newer multimedia technology.

What I’m Focused on Now

Leading & managing design systems

Mentoring junior designs on my team and supporting career growth

Constantly perfecting my craft as design leader & technologist

Exploring and learning about AI-Enabled workflows

Strengthening cross-functional alignment

Values & Mindset

Advice I Give Most Often

  • Focus on clarity before creativity
  • Ask better questions, not for a better tool.
  • Your value is in your judgement, not your skills
  • Learn to articulate trade-offs
  • Build relationships early & often
  • Don’t design alone - collaborate early

Things I Teach

  • How to structure ambiguous proplems
  • How to run effective critiques
  • How to present & tell a story to leadership
  • How to design with systems, not screens
  • How to build trust with product & engineering

What I Value

  • How to structure ambiguous proplems
  • How to run effective critiques
  • How to present & tell a story to leadership
  • How to design with systems, not screens
  • How to build trust with product & engineering

Let's Connect

Whether you're a designer looking for mentorship, a team exploring design leadership, or a company building systems at scale, I'd love to connect.

My Mission

To create clarity, empower designers, and build systems that elevate product quality and team confidence — all while fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Hi, I’m Dan,

UX Design Leader

I'm a senior design leader with a career built on craft, systems, and people. I've grown from a graphic designer obsessed with typography, to a UX designer focused on clarity and problem-solving, and ultimately into a leader who leads and mentors designers, shapes systems, and elevates product quality.

My work is grounded in the belief that great design comes from empowered teams, thoughtful systems, and a culture that values clarity, accessibility, and continuous improvement.

A Career Built on Craft, Systems, & People

01

The Foundation: Graphic Designer

My career began in graphic design, where I learned the fundamentals that still guide my work today: typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and the discipline of creating with intention. These early years taught me how to communicate through design, build brands, and how to develop a strong sense of purpose and intent. My craft wasn't just a skill — it was a mindset that shaped how I approached every problem that followed.

Highlights

Built brand identities and visual systems

Developed a strong foundation in typography and layout

Learned to communicate ideas visually and concisely

Built a discipline of iteration and refinement

02

The Problem Solver: User Experience Designer

As I transitioned into UX, my focus shifted from visuals to systems, interactions, and human-centered problem solving. I learned to navigate ambiguity, partner with cross-functional teams, and design experiences that balance user needs with business goals. This phase of my career sharpened my ability to simplify complexity, create clarity, and bring structure to messy problem spaces.

Highlights

Led research, prototyping, and interaction design

Partnered with product and engineering to deliver cohesive experiences

Developed frameworks, workflows, and design documentation

Became a connector across teams, aligning people around shared goals

03

The Multiplier: Design Leader

Today, my work centers on leadership — guiding designers, shaping systems, and elevating design maturity across organizations. I focus on building scalable design systems, mentoring designers through complex challenges, and partnering with senior leaders to define product vision. My goal is to create environments where designers feel supported, teams feel aligned, and the work feels purposeful.

Highlights

Lead design systems and cross-functional initiatives

Mentor designers and coach them to perfect their craft and foster career growth

Influence product strategy and organizational alignment

Build processes that improve quality, consistency, and delivery speed

Leadership Philosophy

How I Lead Designers

I believe in coaching through clarity, curiosity, and trust. My role is to help designers grow their judgment, expand their thinking, and feel confident navigating ambiguity. I create space for exploration while providing structure that supports high-quality outcomes.

How I Build Design Systems

Design systems succeed when they empower teams, not restrict them. I focus on creating systems that are intuitive, well-documented, and grounded in real product needs. Governance, adoption, and cross-functional partnership are just as important as components.

How I Partner with Product & Engineering

I work collaboratively, translating design intent into shared understanding. I bring structure to conversations, align teams around outcomes, and ensure decisions are grounded in user needs, technical realities, and business goals.

How I Make Decisions

I balance data, intuition, and experience. I prioritize clarity, accessibility, and long-term scalability. I believe the best decisions are made transparently, collaboratively, and with a clear understanding of trade-offs.

How I Use AI in Design Workflows

AI accelerates craft, but judgment remains human. I use AI to streamline documentation, identify inconsistencies, support design QA, and explore variations — freeing teams to focus on strategy, creativity, and problem solving.

Principles

Clarity over complexity

Systems create freedom

Design is a team sport

Icon

Quality is a habit,not a deliverable

Mentorship is a multiplier

Accessibility isnon-negotiable

AI accelerates craft,not judgment

Consistency builds trust

My Experience

May 2022 - Present

Citi

VP | Design & User Experience

Citi - Jacksonville, FL

  • Design Lead / Creative Director for Markets & Transformation, guiding UX strategy across complex financial platforms.
  • Lead the design, governance, and evolution of the FX Trading design system.
  • Mentor and develop junior design staff, fostering growth, consistency, and design excellence.
  • Partner with cross-functional leaders to align product vision, strategy, and execution.

March 2017 - May 2022

CSX

Senior User Experience Designer

CSX Technology - Jacksonville, FL

  • Team Lead for UX designers on the Digital Experience team. I partnered with leadership, business, and application teams to ensure that early project concepts follow a strategic design direction.
  • Responsible for driving change and innovation in a collaborative environment while being responsive to business needs. I communicated complex interactive design concepts across varying levels within the organization while demonstrating a solid understanding of UX design and leadership.
  • Contributed to the growth and development of team members through mentorship to retain the best talent.
  • Maintain a steady and consistent flow of work across the team while delivering with professionalism, on-budget, and on-time.

October 2016 - February 2017

Tonic 3

Senior Digital Designer

Tonic 3 (Contractor @ Citi) - Jacksonville, FL

  • Assigned to Citigroup with the Digital COE. I was tasked with creating digital marketing and experiences for the credit card division.

August 2016 - October 2016

Florida Blue

Senior User Experience Designer

Florida Blue - Jacksonville, FL

  • Completed a short contract with the Advance Technologies Group inside of Florida Blue working on various innovation initiatives. Primary duties included UX/UX Design, prototyping, and overall process management and improvement.

May 2014 - July 2016

Accenture

Senior User Experience Architect

Accenture (Contractor @ Citi) - Jacksonville, FL

  • Assigned to Citigroup in Jacksonville, FL, I was part of the Digital Design Studio for Citibank Online. As a User Experience Architect, I evaluated current and future opportunities to improve the online experience for Citi customers. This included gathering functional requirements and delivering wireframes that properly illustrate new functionality to the business. In addition to this role, I was also responsible for producing, were applicable, prototypes to incorporate into user testing and demonstrate user interaction models to the development team.

April 2012 - May 2014

Interline

Senior User Experience Architect

Interline Brands - Jacksonville, FL

  • Working with both the IT applications department and e-commerce web team, I was responsible for designing and delivering style/user guides, wireframes, pixel-perfect mock-ups, user flows, prototypes, and persona profiles. Also an important part of my duties include rapid prototyping. Once implemented, I was an active member in the testing and debugging of all front-end development.

November 2008 - April 2012

Taleo

Solution Visualizer - Innovation Lab

Taleo - Jacksonville, FL

  • As part of the Innovation Lab at Taleo, I helped contribute to the design and research of innovative solutions for Taleo software. Responsibilities included UI/UX design, prototyping, website design and development, as well as development and administration of our team’s tools and processes.

October 2002 - October 2008

Delex

Senior Multimedia Developer

Delex Systems, Inc. - Tyson’s Corner, VA

  • I worked with a team of instructional designers, programmers, graphic artists, and subject matter experts to aid in the development of cutting edge online training and performance support systems using standard web and interactive tools. Developed 2D and 3D images and animations using original source files or by translating concepts into visual representations for use in web and computer based training materials and trainer simulations.

January 2000 - October 2002

MMC

Production Manager

Matheson Media Corp. - Snohomish, WA

  • At MMC, I was directly tasked with overseeing the overall production for the agency. Duties included, creative direction, front-end development for both web and CD-Rom, video editing, and management of our projects. I was also tasked with developing client presentations and on-set production tasks for national commercials.

October 1998 - January 2000

Delex

Junior Graphic Artists

Delex Systems, Inc. - NAS Whidbey Island, WA

  • Responsible for coordinating the creation, modification, and delivery of graphics in support of two major US Navy Aviation Training organizations, the EA-6B Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) and Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS).Review courseware and delivery sites and make recommendations for changes based on my experience and understanding of newer multimedia technology.

What I’m Focused on Now

Leading & managing design systems

Mentoring junior designs on my team and supporting career growth

Constantly perfecting my craft as design leader & technologist

Exploring and learning about AI-Enabled workflows

Strengthening cross-functional alignment

Values & Mindset

Advice I Give Most Often

  • Focus on clarity before creativity
  • Ask better questions, not for a better tool.
  • Your value is in your judgement, not your skills
  • Learn to articulate trade-offs
  • Build relationships early & often
  • Don’t design alone - collaborate early

Things I Teach

  • How to structure ambiguous proplems
  • How to run effective critiques
  • How to present & tell a story to leadership
  • How to design with systems, not screens
  • How to build trust with product & engineering

What I Value

  • How to structure ambiguous proplems
  • How to run effective critiques
  • How to present & tell a story to leadership
  • How to design with systems, not screens
  • How to build trust with product & engineering

Let's Connect

Whether you're a designer looking for mentorship, a team exploring design leadership, or a company building systems at scale, I'd love to connect.

My Mission

To create clarity, empower designers, and build systems that elevate product quality and team confidence — all while fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, and continuous improvement.